Andy Roddick Wins China Open

SAP Ambassador Andy Roddick claimed his third Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) title of 2008 by defeating Israeli player Dudi Sela in a grueling 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3 final at the China Open in Beijing.

The tournament's no. 2 seed added to his victories at the SAP Open in San Jose and the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships and improved his position in the ATP race to sixth for a chance to compete against the world's best at the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai in November. He then continued the Asian leg of his competitions at the AIG Open in Tokyo, Japan.

Andy, who heads his own charity, the Andy Roddick Foundation Helping Children Today for Tomorrow, pledged $25,000 of his prize money to the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) to support and help those who suffered in the Sichuan Province earthquake earlier in 2008.

"I would really like to contribute a part of my prize money to those families affected, to those who lost everything they had, suffered painful injuries or lost loved ones in the earthquake," said Roddick. "It's my great honor to be in Beijing to work with the CTA to assist those kids who are in need. It is an athlete's privilege and responsibility to give back."

In recent years, SAP Ambassador Andy Roddick has become one of the most celebrated athletes in the United States. He won the 2004 ESPY for Best Male Tennis Player and was nominated again in 2005. In 2003, he was honored by the ATP as the Player of the Year when he became the youngest American to become number 1 in the ATP world rankings. Roddick won the U.S. Open that same year, and it's surely only a matter of time before he adds more Grand Slam titles to his name.

Like all SAP ambassadors, Andy Roddick is committed to his sport and to helping others. He recently received the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award for his charitable efforts and contributions through the Andy Roddick Foundation. The foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all children, based on the principles of respect for family, education, and morality. With the motto of "Helping Children Today for Tomorrow," the Andy Roddick Foundation has raised more than US$5 million so far for children in need.

Andy Roddick truly personifies the skill and dedication to performance that make SAP the leading provider of business solutions.